The armed group al-Shabab has reportedly seized a United Nations helicopter in central Somalia, along with approximately eight people, including passengers and crew.
The helicopter, contracted by the UN for medical evacuation, crash-landed about 70 kilometres southeast of Dhusamareb. The UN’s mission in Somalia (UNSOM) confirmed the incident, referring to it as an aviation incident, but did not specifically mention al-Shabab. Response efforts are underway, and the incident involves third-party contractors rather than UN staff.
Al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaeda, controls significant portions of southern and central Somalia. The group has been engaged in a prolonged insurgency for nearly two decades. The seized helicopter was en route to Wisil town, near the frontlines of a government offensive against al-Shabab, carrying medical supplies and intended to transport injured soldiers from the Galgudud region.
The nationalities of those on board have not been specified, and details about the exact number of passengers are unclear. According to reports, one passenger was killed, and two others managed to flee. The Somali government has intensified its efforts against al-Shabab in recent months.
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) clarified that the seized aircraft was not a WFP or UN Humanitarian Air Service craft, and no WFP personnel were on board. As a precaution, WFP flights in the area have been temporarily suspended.